The Provebs 31 Lady, Day 12

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

"She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple".
Proverbs 31:22

As a model wife and mother, she takes pride in her appearance. She chooses the finest material
(silk and purple) to design clothing fit for a woman of her character. Nothing is spared to cover the healthy body of this virtuous woman. Her modesty warns her of a place among the dignified women of the world. She is pretty with being pretentious. Walking in Wisdom by Dr. Raymond Barber

My Own Words
If you remember when we began this Proverbs study, I warned she could be intimidating. It's verses like this that reflect just that. Although, with this verse, we're not talking so much about any skills we do or don't have as much as we're talking simply the way we look on the outside and how much pride to we take on how we look. This lady is taking the time to keep her hair clean and looking attractive. She is keeping her body clean and healthy. She is gives her self
manicures and pedicures to keep her hands and feet healthy. She takes the time to keep her body pampered just a bit for herself and others. She may wear a little perfume but not so much she is smothering others with it. She may wear a little make up but just enough she still looks somewhat natural. She takes enough thought for herself she looks for some of the nicest material
for her clothing. She has respect for her self and takes of her self in a way that earns her the respect of others. If we love and respect the Lord, loving and respecting ourselves comes easy.
And it's never intimidating.

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A Bible question for today: Who was known for his coat of many colors?hint-look in Genesis 37:3

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The Proverbs 31 Lady, Day 11

Monday, April 10th, 2010

"She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet".
Proverbs 31:21

The winter storms do not catch her unprepared. She has with her own hands fashioned warm clothing for each member of her family. Wise woman that she is,she looks ahead and does what is necessary to protect her household from the elements. The blowing snow is no threat to her family.They are warm and comfortable even in the harshest weather. "Walking in Wisdom" by Dr. Raymond

My Own Words
This is another tough one for me. The winter storms do not catch me unprepared, but it's not because I've spent hours knitting, sewing, crocheting, or whatever, a soft warm whatever, for
who ever. If they still do it, you'll not see me entering any quilt or anything else in any contest anywhere, because I don't know how.
Before you get the wrong idea, I am just being honest about myself with this verse. I don't think it's a good thing that I and many other women, probably couldn't make a soft warm blanket, a beautiful hand made quilt, some exquisite hand embroidered pillow cases, lovingly knit a nice sweater for a special someone, if our life depended on it.
I know there are many people who may say, "why should we worry about being able to do this,
if someone can do it for us, and we can always buy these items in a store already made and for less than we can make them ourselves"? I agree with all of this. I am a "Proverbs Lady" wanna be myself and my husband is a Christian man who is all for my efforts in becoming this woman the best I can. But for the reasons above, he has not rushed out and bought me "ANY" of the necessities to hand make anything. In his defense, about a year or two ago, I think it was our anniversary, we went to a local retail store that had a pretty decent craft department. Because I wanted it, he bought me a knitting kit, a crocheting kit, a cake decorating kit, a painting kit(for painting designs on clothes) and some other items. I have yet to seriously use any of them. I'll admit, it's only my fault. Mean while, from a dear aunt, I have since inherited many of her sewing supplies. She moved and ageing, she doesn't sew like she used to and chose to give many of her items to me. This stuff included a decent amount of material and I have yet to make anything. And I do have a working sewing machine.
For those like me, who would like to, but haven't, I think the problem is lack of motivation. A "why". A reason to. I think our first "reason to" would be right here in our verse. Our Lord had
King Lemuel to write this last chapter in Proverbs as a guide for us ladies, as how He wanted us to take care of our selves, homes and families. In other words, as Christian ladies, if we have not already been taught, which most of us have not, I think God expects us to learn if given the opportunity. Once again, we could say,"why, what does it matter if we can make this or if we can sew that, as long as our family has what they need"? I believe it is a matter of our testimony or witness for the Lord. Any thing we ladies can do to show our love and care for our home and family and our Lord, it say's something for us, our families, our homes, and our love for our
Lord. If you are like me, you will need some guidance in learning. This can be achieved different ways. We can go to our computer and get instruction there. I have found "google" to be very helpful. If you know of an an older or younger lady that can help give you one on one hands on instruction, that would be wonderful. Some people are better learners when it is hands on.
You can also go to a library and find many helpful books with helpful instruction. And one last option, you can find different kits from beginners to experienced, in some homeschooling catalogs. Some of these web addresses are listed at the end of this post. I can't say I agree with everything they sell, but, you might find alot of their products helpful.
The best thing we can do would be to pray about it. Ask God if He wants us to do a better job
in this department, to please speak to our hearts and open the doors of opportunity for us. I know if it is important for us, He will.
If you are an older lady, a 'Titus 2' Woman, and you have the knowledge of how to do this, I pray you will open your heart will lend your guidance if needed and wanted, to some
"Proverbs Lady" wanna be. You might be surprised at the sweet friendship and fellowship that can develop in the process.
May God Bless

Try these websites:
www.christianbook.com
www.keepersofthefaith.com
www.lovetolearn.net

The Proverbs 31 Lady, Day 10

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy".
Proverbs 31:20

She does not wait for the neglected and impoverished to come to her door asking for assistance.
She takes the inititive to reach out to the poor and needy. Her unselfish spirit motivates her to share her blessings with those who are less fortunate than she. She is a perfect example of what
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 19:17. "He that hath pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay again."(Walking in wisdom" Raymond Barber)
'

My Own Words
This one can be a tough one for a lot of people. First of all, whether they will admit it or not, a lot of people are selfish. I personally have struggled with it to a degree for a lifetime. Unless you want to change, you probably won't. And as far as helping those who are in need, many are afraid to because there is so much dishonesty in the world today. For those who do have a heart for giving, it can be very discouraging because of those who would take advantage of our help.
Please let me encourage you with this. I have had my thoughts on this situation. If you do have a selfish heart, I ask that you look to the Lord for help. If you really want to have a giving heart, I assure you God can handle this with no problem. Next, ask the Lord to show you where you could be a help that would make a difference. God knows who is dishonest and who isn't. He furthermore knows who would put you in an uncomfortable situation and who would be more than thankful with no strings attached. There are also many ways to give. We can give our time, money, whatever. Things we might want to sell at a yard sale. We could donate these to someone. What is useless to us may be a treasure to someone else. The opportunities are endless.
God wants us to have giving hearts and there are those we could be a light to by helping them.
Ask Him to put someone in your heart and or your path today!

Country Kids

Friday, May 7th, 2010

*John Paul by our chickens. He is great with gathering our eggs. We only have three hens to lay, but they are doing some fairly good egg laying. *Matt got the tractor and plowed up the spot for our corn. Here he is inspecting the ground he plowed. *Our CBCCC Sunday night,

May 2nd . *The boys are planting the seeds for our corn.

The Proverbs 31 Lady, Day 9

Friday, May 7th, 2010

Hello, we're back. We finally got the devotion out. Now back to our Proverbs 31 Lady.

"She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff".

As a woman of station above the ordinary, she is careful to make sure her attire is proper.

'Skillfully she spins the yarn to design her clothing and that of her family. How industrious a woman she is, sewing and weaving by hand to cloth her family'. ("Walking in Wisdom" by Dr. Raymond Barber)

My Own Words

If you have the skills of a seamstress, that is great. I do not. For ladies, such as myself, who make dressing modest a priority, the ability to sew and sew well, can be very helpful. I use to shop for myself and my only daughter(she is now almost 16) in your average retail stores, in search of "modest clothing". It pretty much didn't exist then, and is still hard to find now.

What I found was either too short on the legs, too low at the cleavage, or if it covered both the high and the low areas, it was usually too tight from top to bottom. So, in determination we were going to dress according to Gods standards and not the worlds, I began praying that God would somehow supply our needs. Well He did and still is. And I am working on sewing better. It's a good thing if you have any decent skills as a seamstress. I encourage anyone who has a chance to improve your sewing, do it. You might be surprised with how this knowledge can be of great use in many different ways.
This verse is also referring to the condition of our clothing. Are there any rips, tears, or holes of any kind? How about our husbands or childrens? The Proverbs 31 Lady tends to them as soon as possible. She wants her family to look well care for. Does the hem in something need let out so it benefits someone who needs it longer? Does a garment need taken up because it drags the floor? If something is too tight can we let it out? Is something too big to where it is unflattering?Take it up.

If you are interested in sewing or sewing better, but you are feeling insecure about it, take it to the Lord. He knows your heart and He can give you the confidence you need.

The Proverbs 31 Woman, Day 8

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

"She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night".
Proverbs 31:18

'She knows that what she has purchased or made with her own hands is good. It has nutrition value. It has monetary value. She is a good manager and spends the night hours making certain that her products are sound and sufficient. While others sleep, she diligently works'. (from "Walking in Wisdom")

My Own Words
On this one, I could be worse, yet I definitely have room for improvement.
with this, I AM A WORK IN PROGRESS!